by khurst2@gmail.com | Dec 30, 2022 | News, Presidents Msg
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Dear Members, Family, and Friends of NNOA,
Happy Holidays and Season’s Greetings! On behalf of our Board of Directors, I wish each of you and your families excellent health, enduring happiness, and abundant prosperity throughout the season and the upcoming year. As I reflect on the many successes of 2022 for our association, I am humbled by our collective accomplishments, which will be captured in my upcoming State of NNOA and Strategic Guidance message
Our expectations continue to rise since 2023 will be the 75th anniversary of the signing of Executive Orders 9980 (Fair Employment Practices of the Federal Government) and 9981 (Desegregation of the Forces). Next year will also mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of our All-Volunteer Force. Those documents serve as the foundation for NNOA’s very existence and, in many ways, moved our nation towards a more perfect union.
In recognition of those anniversaries, I ask that you acknowledge those documents in any NNOA-related speaking engagement, such as Black History Month programs, scholarship banquet speeches, or professional military education events, where appropriate. My objective is to educate, inspire, and remind members and non-members of the positive aspects of our country’s history as we get better in 2023. Additionally, those documents will contribute to developing the theme of our 51st National Symposium which will be held at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California July 31-August 4, 2023.
In closing, as you make resolutions for 2023, I ask that each of you to do the following…reflect, reconnect, and renew:
First and foremost…reflect. Please reflect on the many good things that NNOA has done for you and your career and think about how you can pay it forward to help others. Additionally, let us never forget our founders and their servant leadership that paved the way for us. We especially remember Captain Claude A. Williams, one of the founding members of NNOA, and Captain Harold R. Wise, former NNOA president, who recently passed.
Second…reconnect. Please get the word out about NNOA to both members and non-members, as well as to co-workers, friends, and family. There are too many officers who need our mentoring and coaching but are unaware of the power of our organization. Reach out to them and invite them to a local meeting and connect them with someone who can advise and assist accordingly.
Third…. renew. Renew your effort to support NNOA! Volunteer your time and your talents to be a mentor or a protégé at your local chapter and continue to support our mission of Recruitment, Retention, and Career Development. NNOA has come a long way, but greater work is yet to be done. Our calling is to keep pushing forward into the next 50 years!
Again, thank you for all that you do and please “…do not become weary in doing good.”
Enjoy your holidays and stay safe!
Cedric E. Pringle
RDML USN, Retired
25th President NNOA
by khurst2@gmail.com | Jul 30, 2022 | News, Presidents Msg
Greetings NNOA! I am honored and humbled to serve as your 25th President. The goal of my first message is simply to say thank you and congratulations to each of you. As our week of celebrating, communicating, commemorating, and reinvigorating proved, we’ve established a solid foundation on which to continue building on our 50-year legacy of inspiring excellence. A special “thank you” also goes to former President, RADM Sinclair Harris, and his Board of Directors for keeping us on track for unprecedented success.
NNOA’s imperative to make a difference has been clear since being founded in 1972 and we will stay on our journey while expanding partnerships with like-minded organizations. Our dedication to mentoring, coaching, and advocating for a stronger and more diverse officer corps in the Sea Services remains the same and it’s our collective responsibility to seek innovative ways to get better.
Lastly, I look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new leaders during my upcoming travels to local chapters. I will periodically communicate any changes to guidance, as needed, but as for now, maintain course and increase speed as we forge into the future. We remain stronger together, so let’s get to back to work!
by khurst2@gmail.com | May 10, 2022 | News, Presidents Msg
From the Desk of the President
Please join me in support of a great program designed to increase diversity in STEM, specifically CYBER. Major Luke Wright, USMC (Retired) is leading an outstanding program at Columbia Heights Educational Campus (CHEC) in Washington D.C. With a very diverse and inclusive Naval Junior ROTC program that has sent several young men and women into commissioning programs, it is truly inspirational to see how young lives are being changed daily. Please consider supporting Major Wright’s students so they can attend a 3D Printer Camp run by the Cyber Bytes Foundation.
The cost for the 3D printer camp is $3,000 per cadet and the cost for the build your PC camp is $2,000 per cadet. These costs include all materials which the students get to take home, meals, and lodging for the week. The camp starts the 3rd week of July 2022. Funding is required 30 days prior NLT June 18.
CHEC NJROTC would like to send 6-8 students to one of these camps. The 3D printer camp is the preferred camp. Students are using school issued tablets/devices in school and their smartphones most of the time. Due to the access to other online mediums, they may not use the desktops they built again after camp; however, the 3D printer gives students the ability to build, create, and design assets they didn’t have the capability to do previously. The 3D printer connects well with arts, medical advancements, engineering, automotive industry, toy industry and much more. CHEC NJROTC appreciates any support that can be provided to develop our cadets into tomorrow’s leaders and innovators.
Please go to the Cyber Bytes Foundation link below and specify “This donation is for Major Luke Wright’s Navy JROTC / CHEC campers” in the memo block.
https://cyberbytesfoundation.org/donate/
Very respectfully,
Sinclair Harris
RADM USN Retired
by khurst2@gmail.com | Mar 14, 2022 | Announcements, Presidents Msg
Shipmates,
Click image to download newsletter
One of my business colleagues, Ed Rule (President and CEO of Naval Systems, Inc. and retired Supply Corps Officer) shared his March Newsletter with me and I wanted to share it with NNOA. In it, Ed highlights a few of the women role models we have been blessed with in our military.
The elevation of women in our military is clearly the most important change that I can recall in my 34 years of service. It has made our military far more resilient, intelligent and ready. The women highlighted in this newsletter are just a few examples of inspirational leadership in our military.
I hope all of the NNOA members will share their stories this Women’s History Month.
v/r
RADM Sinclair Harris, USN (Ret)
President NNOA
by khurst2@gmail.com | Mar 2, 2022 | News, Presidents Msg
We are excited to celebrate Women’s History Month as our National Naval Officers Association acknowledge, honor, and reflect on the contributions of women to leadership in the Sea Services. This year’s theme is “Women Providing Healing – Promoting Hope.” This theme is “both a tribute to the ongoing work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.”
Lest we forget the work of Susie Taylor King – Susie King Taylor – Wikipedia – who is well known (or should be) for her service during the Civil War. Our NNOA 
legendary role model and hero CAPT Sandi Pollard – CAPT Sandi Pollard, USN (Ret) – NNOA Visionary and Life Member – 2019 | NNOA who served as a role model to me and so many others in NNOA, women have always played a critical and leading role in taking care of our shipmates and giving our families hope. From the first Army nurse Anna May Hayes – Anna Mae Hays – Wikipedia – who served in a mud-caked jungle hospital during WWII to the LCDR Mildred McAfee – Mildred H. McAfee – Wikipedia – who became the director of the WAVES in 1942, women in the armed forces have been providing hope and healing to our military service members in times of war and peace. Women continue to serve in roles that provide healing and promote hope from doctors, nurses, chaplains, and counselors.
The National Naval Officers Association are looking forward to the various programs and events provided by the local chapters. Please share your events on our website: nnoa.org to continue to inspire future generations of excellence.
Very respectfully,
Sinclair M. Harris, RADM USN Retired
President, NNOA
by khurst2@gmail.com | Feb 1, 2022 | News, Presidents Msg
February is the month we celebrate Black History. The 2022 Black History Month celebration theme is “Black Health and Wellness.” As we take the time to focus on our health and wellness, I would like to share a poem that I feel sums up this month. It was written by my mother, the late Margaret Oliver:
There is stress and strife in our daily life,
And peace seems far away.
But with work and prayer we have hope,
To find health and wellness day by day.
Our minds and bodies are fragile things,
So we have to treat them well.
Diet, exercise, meditation and friends,
Are part of the magic spell.
We are all challenged all along our journey,
In our days on this earthly realm.
Just keep your head up and keep your spirit,
You are not alone at life’s helm.
I and the NNOA family are looking forward to celebrating the legacy of Black contributors, scholars, and practitioners in Western medicine. NNOA chapters, please share your events, photos, and links as we celebrate together.
